03.191

The story of Indradyumna.

Vaiśampāyana said.

Markandeya, the sages, and the Pandavas asked: "Is there anyone among you who was born before (is more elderly)?" (03-191-1)

He said to them: "There is indeed a royal sage named Indradyumna, whose merit is exhausted and who has fallen from heaven. Thus, your fame is destroyed." He approached me, and then you recognized me. (03-191-2)

I said to him: We are not alchemists, we do not undertake the performance of objectives by causing affliction to our own body. (03-191-3)

Indeed, there is in Himavat a certain owl named Prākārakarṇa; if he knows you, on the excellent road to the Himalaya, he dwells there. (03-191-4)

He, having become a horse, brought me there, where he became an owl. (03-191-5)

Then that royal sage questioned him in detail, saying, "Do you recognize me?" (03-191-6)

After meditating for a moment, he said to him, "I do not recognize you." (03-191-7)

Thus addressed, the royal sage Indradyumna again said to the owl: "Is there anyone older-born than you?" (03-191-8)

Thus addressed, he said: "There is indeed a lake called Indradyumna, and in it dwells a heron named Nāḍījaṅgha. He is older than us; so ask him." (03-191-9)

Then Indradyumna, taking me and the owl, went to that lake where that heron named Nāḍījaṅgha was. (03-191-10)

He has been asked by us, "Do you recognize King Indradyumna?" (03-191-11)

Thus addressed, he said after meditating for a moment: "I do not recognize Indradyumna the king thus." (03-191-12)

Then we asked him: "Is there anyone else who was born before you?" (03-191-13)

He said to us: "Indeed, there is here in this lake a tortoise named Akūpāra. He has been living here much longer than I. If somehow he recognizes this king, then let us ask Akūpāra." (03-191-14)

Then the heron said to that turtle: "There is something we desire to ask you; please come at once," thus. (03-191-15)

Having heard this, the tortoise rose from that lake and came to where we were standing on the bank of that lake. (03-191-16)

When he arrived, we asked him, "Do you recognize King Indradyumna?" (03-191-17)

He, after meditating for a moment, his eyes full of tears, heart agitated, trembling and appearing unconscious, with folded hands said: "Why do I not recognize him? I have, together with him, a thousand times before, provided offerings in fire sacrifices; and this lake, made by him with cows given as donations, crossed by such cows, I reside here." (03-191-18)

Then, after hearing these words spoken by the turtle, Devaratha appeared at once from the world of the gods. (03-191-19)

Words are heard addressed to Indradyumna: "To you, heaven is ready; attain the appropriate place. You are renowned, go forth untroubled." (03-191-20)

The sound of a meritorious deed touches both heaven and earth; for as long as this sound exists, so long is a man remembered (or called a man). (03-191-21)

The ill-fame of a person, when spoken of in this world, causes him to fall to the lowest worlds—he keeps falling as long as his name is mentioned. (03-191-22)

Therefore, a man on earth should have virtuous conduct for the highest good; having abandoned the most sinful conduct, he should resort only to righteousness. (03-191-23)

Having heard this, the king said: "Stay here for now, until I restore these two elders to their proper place." (03-191-24)

He placed me at the angle of the fort wall and the watchtower at the appropriate location, and then, having completed his task with that same vehicle, reached the suitable place. (03-191-25)

Markandeya, as one who has lived long, said to the Pāṇḍavas, 'This has been experienced and seen by me.' (03-191-26)

The Pāṇḍavas, pleased, said: "Well done! What you have done is excellent—you are restoring King Indradyumna, who had fallen from the heavenly world, once again to his proper place in heaven." (03-191-27)

Then he said to him, "Indeed, by Devakī's son, that Kṛṣṇa, king-sage Nṛga, who was sinking in hell, was lifted out of that distress and again made to attain heaven," (03-191-28).